women are empowered in california. i also want to acknowledge that although our members are great here, two of our colleagues have gone on to the senate. senator elect tammy baldwin [applause] senator elect mazie hirono. only the second woman of color to serve in the senate. that is very exciting. unfortunately we do not have kathy hochul this next congress, but the future is soon coming upon -- we know they will be making a great public contribution. so here we are. we are still finishing up some of our campaigns. we are very proud of the success -- as you see here today. why is it important for us to make this statement of the strength of women in the congress of the united states? the house democratic women? because this is where the hopes and dreams of american families are. they may not know that, they may not know one party from the next and the rest, but we now that without roza deluaro we would not have the lilly ledbetter paycheck fairness act. without gwen moore would not have the violence against women act p